This symposium is intended to focus on the optimization of polymeric materials in innovative and demanding applications. High performance materials require a detailed understanding of their long-term degradation mechanisms and use/lifetime limiting factors. Novel performance characterization techniques or optimization via modification and processing may be required. Paper presentations will be on a) polymer degradation chemistry in challenging environments (biological, radiation, thermal, UV, chemical, space) and relevant material optimization strategies, b) the beneficial use of "degradation" to enhance polymer properties, i.e. radiation modifications or grafting methods, and c) the evolving approaches to enhance the performance or custom-engineering of biomaterials, nano-composite/composite materials as well as new polymer reactions/crosslinking avenues. |
